Monday, October 31, 2011

Robert Redford Joins the Effort to Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline


*WHO: Thousands of concerned activists including NRDC Founding Director and Medal of Freedom honoree John Adams
*WHAT: A public gathering and demonstration that encircles the White House. We believe this action offers a vivid illustration of where we stand: opposed to the pipeline and united for clean energy.
*WHERE: Lafayette Square, in front of the White House in Washington D.C.
*WHEN: Sunday, November 6th at 2pm ET. NRDC’s contingent will gather shortly before at the northeast corner of Lafayette Park.

Can't join us in D.C.? Take a second to send President Obama this message below to stop Keystone XL pipeline.
Send President Obama a message here
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Automatic Cuts Much Better Than SuperCommittee's Bipartisan Butchery to Social Safety Net


Tell Harry Reid and the Democratic senators on the Super Committee: Absolutely no cuts to Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security benefits

It's official: There's now a bipartisan consensus on the Super Committee to cut Medicare and Social Security benefits.
The Republicans have a longstanding desire to dismantle Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. But according to recent news reports, a majority of Democrats on the Super Committee just proposed their own plan to reduce the deficit that included slashing Medicare benefits by $200 billion1 and dramatically reducing future Social Security benefits.2
It's hard to image how the Democrats on the Super Committee could be any more out-of-touch or wrongheaded.
In the face of massive unemployment, rampant foreclosures, a sputtering economy and widespread anger that the country is systematically prioritizing the needs of the ultra-rich and wealthy corporations over the needs of the other 99% of us, the Democrats who support this plan think the best thing to do is make it harder and more expensive for seniors and the less fortunate to get medical care or pay for their basic living expenses.
Tell Harry Reid and the Democratic senators on the Super Committee: Absolutely no cuts to Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security benefits.
We need to make sure Democrats understand that rather than supporting benefit cuts, it would be better if the automatic cuts specified in the legislation that created the Super Committee are triggered. But we have an uphill fight.
Sign The Petition 
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GE Sweet Corn

Obama Administration Joins Republican Science Deniers


Almost  100,000 people signed various legalize Marijuana petitions at Whitehouse.gov. Once a certain number of signers had been reached, then the Obama Administration promised a policy review and an answer to the signers. The fantasy and error filled, response is printed below. The Obama Administration went to a lot of trouble to give themselves a big black eye. The Obama administration has had a great deal of trouble getting its nominees confirmed by the senate. Unfortunately, the republicans, (maybe they knew something) were happy to confirm Gil Kerlikowske.
Official portrait of United States Director of...Image via Wikipedia


Official portrait of United States Attorney Ge...Image via Wikipedia

The Obama administration has been rightly critical of the Republicans for not acting on the Presidents Job's bills.  The Republicans have been spouting nonsense that raising taxes on the wealthy would "stifle the job creators".  There is no data to support the republicans claims.  Indeed, there is a plethora of data that disproves the republican claim that raising taxes on the wealthy kills jobs.  Similarly, almost of the republican leadership denies climate change.  We have mountains of data that support climate change but the republicans  almost to a man, just dismiss it all with: "I don't believe it".  With the issuance of this report the Obama administration decides to drink the republican Sour-Aid and deny, statistics, facts, research, and the governments own studies pursuing the simple minded motto, "we've always done it this way".  Does the Obama administration really want to go down the Republican road of denying science and fact?  The related articles at the end of this post do a great job of showing all the fallacies and lies in the government's report.  Gill should resign immediately.  The entire American economy was wrecked by wall street and the big banks.  Not a single banker involved in the 2008 financial collapse has faced charges.  However, the Obama administration is intent on harassing cancer patients and teenagers on marijuana charges instead of going after the real criminals on wall street.  Justice Department, your not a tough prosecutor if your charging teenagers and cancer patients on marijuana charges.  Attorney General Eric Holder should try investigating wall street instead of the local medical marijuana dispensary, unless perhaps, its just far too difficult a task for individuals assigned to the Justice department. 


What We Have to Say About Legalizing Marijuana
By Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy
When the President took office, he directed all of his policymakers to develop policies based on science and research, not ideology or politics. So our concern about marijuana is based on what the science tells us about the drug's effects.
According to scientists at the National Institutes of Health- the world's largest source of drug abuse research - marijuana use is associated with addiction, respiratory disease, and cognitive impairment. We know from an array of treatment admission information and Federal data that marijuana use is a significant source for voluntary drug treatment admissions and visits to emergency rooms. Studies also reveal that marijuana potency has almost tripled over the past 20 years, raising serious concerns about what this means for public health – especially among young people who use the drug because research shows their brains continue to develop well into their 20's. Simply put, it is not a benign drug.
Like many, we are interested in the potential marijuana may have in providing relief to individuals diagnosed with certain serious illnesses. That is why we ardently support ongoing research into determining what components of the marijuana plant can be used as medicine. To date, however, neither the FDA nor the Institute of Medicine have found smoked marijuana to meet the modern standard for safe or effective medicine for any condition.
As a former police chief, I recognize we are not going to arrest our way out of the problem. We also recognize that legalizing marijuana would not provide the answer to any of the health, social, youth education, criminal justice, and community quality of life challenges associated with drug use.
That is why the President's National Drug Control Strategy is balanced and comprehensive, emphasizing prevention and treatment while at the same time supporting innovative law enforcement efforts that protect public safety and disrupt the supply of drugs entering our communities. Preventing drug use is the most cost-effective way to reduce drug use and its consequences in America. And, as we've seen in our work through community coalitions across the country, this approach works in making communities healthier and safer. We're also focused on expanding access to drug treatment for addicts. Treatment works. In fact, millions of Americans are in successful recovery for drug and alcoholism today. And through our work with innovative drug courts across the Nation, we are improving our criminal justice system to divert non-violent offenders into treatment.
Our commitment to a balanced approach to drug control is real. This last fiscal year alone, the Federal Government spent over $10 billion on drug education and treatment programs compared to just over $9 billion on drug related law enforcement in the U.S.
Thank you for making your voice heard. I encourage you to take a moment to read about the President's approach to drug control to learn more.



Over 7,000 people have already signed the below petition in response to the Administrations "republicanlike" science, fact, study and statistic denying report.

we petition the obama administration to:

Actually take these petitions seriously instead of just using them as an excuse to pretend you are listening

Although the ability to submit petitions directly to the White House is a noble and welcome new feature of the current administration, the first round of responses makes blatantly clear the White House intends to just support its current stances and explain them with responses everyone who has done any research already knows.
An online petition is not meant as a replacement for using a search box in a web browser. We the People, those who grant you the power to govern in the first place, are requesting changes in policy directly, circumventing legislators who already do not listen to us. We the People request you govern FOR us, which means actually listening to us and actually acting in our interests instead of special interests.
You are not above us. You ARE us. Govern accordingly.
 Sign this petition at white house.gov
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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Spicy Baked Pumpkin Seeds

Photo by Mikayla

Our charming niece, Mikayla is staying with us while she attends a nearby college.  She has carved two pumpkins and I've turned the seeds into tasty, spicy snacks.  I melted about 2 T of butter on a large cookie sheet, and added 2 T of chili powder, 1/2 tsp. of Kashmiri chili powder, 1/2 tsp of cumin and 1 tsp of mexican chili powder and a couple pinches of salt.  I mixed the spices and butter, then added the pumpkin seeds and stirred till everything looked coated.  Bake them for 30-40 minutes at 350, stirring and shaking the pan about every 15 minutes.  We like them so much, we're planning on looking for closeout pumpkins tomorrow.
photo by author




The Daily Bread

I haven't been posting my Daily Bread pictures lately, I'll try and do better.  Last week, I was cooking acorn squash and a roast pork loin in the oven along with the bread.  I lowered the temperature down to 425 which was a compromise between the bread and the pork loin.  The bread was a real hit.  The crust was softer and the interior was very spongy.  My niece absolutely loves it cooked this way and everyone else seems to enjoy it also. 

"Why I Am An Atheist" Series at Pharyngula

PZ Meyers asked his readers to send him short essays on why they are atheists.  I think he was inundated with submissions.  Every day he has been posting a short essay that readers have submitted.  I was touched by the "apple man" story which seemed to aptly capture our wonderful humanness in action.


Why I am an atheist-Jim Mader
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Happy Halloween

my niece Jenaye carved thisAwesome Angry Birds pumpkin and sent me this great photo. 
My Niece Mikayla carved this great ghosty pumpkin

Petition to Investigate Keystone XL Pipeline

 Seal of the United States Department of State.                  Image via Wikipedia
For weeks we've watched the State Department's sham review of Keystone XL unfold, with no calls from congress for corrective action.

The silence was finally shattered this week, as a group of 14 Senators and Representatives, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, sent a letter to the President and the Inspector General of the State Department, calling for a formal investigation into this scandal.

This process being conducted by the State Department is a crime in progress. But with a final decision is coming before the end of the year, it's not over yet.
Join congressional leaders in calling for an independent investigation of the State Department's tar sands scandal.
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Friday, October 28, 2011

Tell Tim Eyman, Get Out of Washington, Vote NO on 1125

Photo Credit: Sound Transit



Fuse:
I-1125 would block funding that is critical for hundreds of construction projects, including the 520 bridge, the Columbia River Crossing, and State Routes 167 and 509. Eyman's I-1125 also threatens critical transit projects, including voter-approved light rail to East King County. This initiative would make it nearly impossible for Washington to sell toll-backed bonds, which are a critical part of the funding for transportation projects across the state.

Nearly all the campaign funding for I-1125 has come from one wealthy developer, Kemper Freeman. Freeman has dumped more than $1 million into I-1125 as a last-ditch effort to stop light rail.

More traffic and fewer jobs is not what Washington families are looking for. Vote NO on Initiative 1125.
Don't let Tim  Eyman ruin our transportation network.  Vote No on 1125, Vote No on Eyman. 

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Send a Message to Oaklands Mayor, Jean Quan

From the Other 98%
Mayor Jean Quan should:
  • Fire the newly-installed interim Police Chief Howard Jordan for his mishandling of the entire operation.
  • Order the Oakland Police Department to release all records about the use of force.
  • Begin a thorough investigation into police misconduct and punish those responsible.
  • Allow peaceful protesters to remain in "Oscar Grant" Plaza, as is guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Please sign our letter to Mayor Quan of Oakland NOW.
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I Stand With Scott Olsen, We Are the 99%

LA Times:
Highland Hospital spokesman Curt Olsen -- no relation -– said Scott Olsen was experiencing pressure on a lobe of his brain that controls speech, but “he is able to understand everything that is said to him” and can write. Doctors do not anticipate a need to operate and are optimistic about his recovery, Curt Olsen said.
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Stand Up To Fight Republican Voter Suppression

From the Democratic Governor's Association:
Republican governors will stop at nothing to win next November. Now we know just how far they'll go.
With his latest voter suppression venture, Ohio's Republican Governor John Kasich has abolished the most popular early voting days, making it more difficult for working families to vote – all to suppress Democratic turnout and give Republicans the edge.
Kasich and his Tea Party cronies know that Ohio is a key swing state. And they'll do everything they can to defeat President Obama and consolidate their power – even if it means denying Americans the basic right to vote.
Click here to join the Ohio Democratic Party in standing up against John Kasich's voter suppression in Ohio.
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Happy Friday

Image Credit: Z. Levay (STScI/AURA/NASA), T.A. Rector (U. Alaska Anchorage) & H. Schweiker (NOAO/AURA/NSF), KPNO, NOAO
Via APOD
H-222 the Waterfall nebula is part of the Great Orion Nebula.

How To Make Pie Crusts Easily and Quickly

9" apple pie Photo by author
This pie started out looking like this:
dough ball placed between two sheets of plastic wrap, about to become thin pastry dough

I make my pie crusts from scratch and it's easy and frustration free using plastic wrap.  I put up a page with the crust recipe, directions and hopefully adequate pictures. Here.
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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Oakland Mayor and Police Condone Outrageous Conduct


The following shows how close Scott Wilson was to the police barricade when he was struck in the head with a rubber bullet or tear gas canister. The video also shows demonstrators coming to the aid of Mr. Wilson who was lying unmoving on the pavement in front of the barricade.   It's also very clear that one of the officers, standing safely behind a barricade, in full riot gear felt the need to lob a tear gas canister into the group that was attempting to aid Mr. Wilson.

At 4 A.M. the Oakland Police arrive in armored vehicles with full riot gear to disperse people who were sleeping in the park. Not only Oakland police were in attendance but:
More than a dozen agencies from across Northern California assisted Oakland police under what is called a mutual aid agreement.[1.]
 This is wrong.  What's next the national guard to clear out protestors?   Americans have a constitutional right to assemble and petition their government.  Check out the list of 44 crimes the Oakland Police will not investigate here.  The Oakland Police will not investigate, burglary, grand theft, loud music or extortion, but they will bring individuals from 19 different agencies to assault the peaceful protestors sleeping in the city?  The mayor and chief of Police of Oakland should be ashamed of themselves.

Sign the MoveOn Petition to Mayor Quan
MoveOn.org has a petition
Mayor Quan: We are outraged by your decision to have Occupy Oakland's peaceful, lawful and inspiring assembly raided. We denounce police intimidation, harassment, and incarceration of peaceful protesters.
We call on you to drop all the charges against these community leaders, to release them immediately, and to allow for the restoration of the encampment.
A compiled petition with your individual comment will be presented to Mayor Jean Quan.
 Sign the MoveOn Petition to Mayor Quan

Scott Wilson is in serious but stable condition in a bay area hospitol.  Mr. Wilson is a veteran who served two tours in Iraq and is a member of Veterans for Peace and.  Iraq Veterans Against the War
We wish Mr. Wilson a speedy recovery. 

     
[1.]  http://www.mercurynews Silicone Valley
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    The Occupied Wall Street Journal Available Online

    Read the Occupied Wall Street Journal Here

    The Occupied WSJournal after appearing in print several times has made it online.  Informative and most definitely not Murdoch approved articles.

    Tuesday, October 25, 2011

    Disgraced Mark Sanford Heads to Fox News

    Ex-Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina has accepted a position at Fox News.  Mark Sanford gained national fame after his disappearance during his second term as governor.  While claiming that he was hiking the Appalachian trail, the governor was actually having an affair in Argentina.  Perhaps, because he was having an affair with a woman, the governor was not impeached and served out his term as governor.  Mark Sanford lied to his wife, his family, his staff and his constituents, leaving him eminently qualified to work at Fox news.  



    Mark Sanford, governor of South Carolina, seen...Image via Wikipedia

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    President Obama On Tonight Show: 10/25

    Catch President Barack Obama tonight, Tuesday, 10/25 on NBC's the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.




    Monday, October 24, 2011

    Speaker Boehner, Stop Working the 1% and Start Helping the 99%


    John BoehnerImage by Gage Skidmore via Flickr
    Petition:
    John Boehner, we stand with the 99%. We need an economy that works for everyone, not the richest 1%.

    Sign the Petition to Speaker John Boehner

    For 10 months the republicans have controlled the house and have passed zero jobs bills.  Up to 25 million unemployed and underemployed and the republican answer is "do not tax the job creators".  We haven't taxed the job creators for almost 10 years now; so where are the jobs?  The republicans won't even allow debate on the Presidents Jobs bill.  It's time the Republicons started serving the people of this country. 

    Sign the Petition to Speaker John Boehner
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    Don't let the 1% Deconstruct FDR's Masterpiece

    Before Social Security was established 75 years ago, more than half of our elderly population lived in poverty. Because of Social Security, the poverty figure for seniors today is less than 10 percent. Social Security also provides dignified support for millions of widows, widowers, orphans and people with disabilities.
    Since it was established, Social Security has paid every nickel it owed to every eligible American, in good times and bad. As corporations over the last 30 years destroyed the retirement dreams of millions of older workers by eliminating defined-benefit pension plans, Social Security was there paying full benefits. When Wall Street greed and recklessness caused working people to lose billions in retirement savings, Social Security was there paying full benefits.
    Despite its success, Social Security faces an unprecedented attack from Wall Street, the Republican Party and a few Democrats. If the American people are not prepared to fight back, the dismantling of Social Security could begin in the very near future.

    Sign Senator Bernie Sanders Petition to Defend Social Security

    Last month Senator Sanders had a petition to remove the cap on Social Security payments. Individuals presently only pay Social Security on the first 106,800 dollars of income they earn. Scrap the Cap, his petition garnered over 200,000 signatures in no time and has already been delivered to the White House.  By removing the cap, it would gurantee SS practically for a 100 years.

     Lyrics and credits for the video here produced by Social Security Works Washington and the Economic Opportunity Institute.

    You can sign the new "Scrap the Cap" Petition here
    Sen. Patty Murray: Don't cut Social Security - just "Scrap the Cap!"
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    Sunday, October 23, 2011

    Thursday, October 20, 2011

    Happy Friday

    Image Data: Hubble Legacy Archive, ESA, NASA; Processing: Hunter Wilson
    Stephan's Quintet, in the constellation Pegasus.

    Hot Chicks of Wall Street, or "How I Tricked Non-Political Dudes into Watching a Video about Occupy Wall Street"



    Hot Chicks of Occupy Wall Street from Steven Greenstreet on Vimeo.

    The only criticism I have of this well done video is the very poor title choice.  With all the bad press streaming from the conservative right smearing OWS participants, its great to see some video showing the individual faces of this very human movement. 

    Wednesday, October 19, 2011

    John Stewart; Stews Eric Cantor and His Cronies


    The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
    Scorn in the U.S.A.
    www.thedailyshow.com
    Daily Show Full EpisodesPolitical Humor & Satire BlogThe Daily Show on Facebook
    John Stewart exposes the conservative republican attack machine and turns it on its head. 

    Occupy Tucson Needs Help

    OccupyTucson Needs Your Help!

    Posted Oct. 17, 2011, 12:30am PST by Craig Barber
    OccupyTucson needs your help! TPD is utilizing a strategy of financial and legal attrition to kill the movement by issuing criminal citations to occupiers in the who stay in the park past 10:30pm. This citation carries a potential sentence of up to a $1000 fine, up to 6 months in jail, and up to 3 years probation. They are bleeding this movement financially instead of using pepper spray and batons. We need you all to take action now! Here is the link with the phone numbers and email addresses of each of the members of Tucson city council. Call/Email them and demand that the charges against the occupiers be dismissed and that TPD stop it's war of financial and legal attrition against OccupyTucson. We are the 99%, and we will not be stopped. 
     Here is the link with the phone numbers and email addresses of each of the members of the Tucson City Council

    Dylan Ratigan Explains Platinum Citizenship

    Platinum Citizenship
    I want to talk about what Geithner *did*, structurally to bring about this situation. We’re all aware of the two tiered political system in which protesters can be run over by police scooters but marauders in suits are put on the President’s jobs council to chuckle nervously at Occupy Wall Street. But behind the political inequality lies a new order of credit allocation. Tim Geithner created a two-tiered monetary system, a kind of money they have which you can’t get. He wasn’t alone in doing this. Financial institutions spent hundreds of millions of dollars influencing federal officials to coalesce a bailout while politicians treated them as a special class of super Americans. But he more than anyone else in the crisis period was the central figure in the creation of our current aristocratic monetary order.
     Dylan writes a great piece clearly explaining why the banks are doing great now and the rest of us are scraping by.  He also shows how Tim Geithner is instrumental in the maintenance of the current 1%, 99% dichotomy.  Read the full piece here:
    Platinum Citizenship 

    Visit the US Department of the Treasury, where you can download a HIGH RESOLUTION  photo of the Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner. 
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    Karl Rove, Fundraising in Bellevue for Rob McKenna

    Tuesday Karl Rove was at the Westin hotel in Bellevue doing a fund raiser for the likely GOP Gubernatorial candidate, Rob McKenna.  Many Washington citizens seemed to object to the presence Mr. Rove.
    All photo's by author.
    On hand to greet these two GOP lineguards, were well over 100 motivated democratic activists well armed with colorful cardboard and paper signs. 


    The supreme court ruled that money is speech, but $10 megaphones are illegal.

    The crowd was suitably noisy.



    Here's former Ambassador Joe Wilson

    Joe Wilson gave a great talk

    Mr. Wilson mainly was there to support his friend Jay Inslee.  But, he didn't let that stop him from making a few choice comments about Mr. Rove, that were greatly appreciated by the crowd.  Mr. Wilson also, mentioned how Rep. Inslee had been supportive of both Joe and Valerie after the Bush Administration had outed Valerie Plame.  Thanks to my friend Suzanne for the heads up on the event.

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    Apple Pie

    Apple Pie, photo by author
    Some time ago, I demonstrated my saran wrap crust making technique to my niece.  I didn't realize she was using it and passing it on.  Soon, I'll put a page up demonstrating how you to can easily create beautiful crusts. 

    Most Excellent Quote of the Week

    Paul Krugman: Adventure in Credibility
    Here’s a suggestion for the GOP: why not rely instead on diviners who examine the entrails of sacrificed rams? It would improve your credibility.

    Tuesday, October 18, 2011

    Ladies, Mitt Romney's Team Believes There is No Discrimination

    Mitt Romney's legal advisor is Robert Bork.  A one time nominee to the supreme court, who failed to make it to the bench for reasons that will immediately become clear.  In a recent interview with Newsweek, Robert Bork said this:
    Women are a majority of the population now—a majority in university classrooms and a majority in all kinds of contexts. It seems to me silly to say, ‘Gee, they’re discriminated against and we need to do something about it.’ They aren’t discriminated against anymore.”
    Mitt Romney's choice for legal adviser believes that women no longer suffer discrimination.  That would be news to the millions of American women who only earn 77 cents on the dollar that a man receives for the same work.  Republican legislatures all across the country limiting women's access to reproductive healthcare is not discrimination?  Republican legislatures deciding what women should hear and listen to in doctor's offices is not discrimination?     A vote for Mitt Romney is a vote for more voices like Robert Bork on the supreme court. 
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    Monday, October 17, 2011

    Thank you, Occupy Wall Street

    Today, is day 31 of Occupy Wall Street.  Many on the right have disparaged the movement.  Eric Cantor called them mobs, Herman Cain said of the Occupy Wall Street Protestors:  “Don’t blame Wall Street, don’t blame the big banks, if you don’t have a job and you’re not rich, blame yourself!”  Mitt Romney said: "I think it's dangerous, this class warfare." Ron Christie a republican strategist said that the protestors were a "disgrace" and that they should "Go get a job".  While the conservative republican right wing has been smearing the movement it has grown exponentially.  This weekend there were protests in 800 cities across America.  It has spread to all the continents (except Antarctica), 900 protests across the globe.

    Thousands of young, middle aged and elderly citizens have been protesting, in many cases 24/7.  Thank you, for standing in the rain, cold and dark protesting against a government, tax and economic system specifically designed for the benefit of 1%  of the population.  These protestors are brave American Patriots and I'm very proud of them.  Don't listen to the right wing republican conservatives they are the paid mouthpieces of the 1%.   Thank you, Occupy Wall Street!

    This poignant video shows scenes of protestors being assaulted and arrested amid the speeches of President Obama and Sec. of State Hillary Clinton decrying the lack of individual rights and liberty in the middle east. 
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    200,000 Signatures on Get the Money Out!!

    Wow, 200,000 on the campaign to Get Money Out of Politics.  In this piece Mr. Ratigan makes the case for a constitutional amendment and how those amendments have been passed in the past.  Unless, we can impeach Clarence Thomas and/or get a "retroactive recusal" on Citizens United; we are left with only the Constitutional Amendment to Get the Money Out of Politics.

    Constitutional Moments: The People's Voice

    Today we face a crushing burden of foreclosures, dropping incomes, and a financial elite that has bought our government.  The elite consensus is powerful enough to prevent change, no matter who is elected.  The situation seems, at least in electoral terms, hopeless.  Yet, America has been here before, and has shown remarkable resilience in the darkest of times.
    So just how do we get the debate we deserve?  How do we root out the corruption, greed, and fraud in our system?  Clearly, the root of much evil in our system of government comes from the financing of political campaigns by powerful interests.  And the Supreme Court has said that money is speech, and thus, protected by the Constitution.  So we must pass a Constitutional amendment to speak back to the Supreme Court, and assert the primacy of government by the people.
    But how do we do this?  How does one pass a Constitutional amendment in the American system to ban money from politics?  It's not a question with an obvious answer, but history has some clues.  There have been only twenty seven amendments to the Constitution in over two hundred years of history, ten of which were ratified with the Constitution itself and several of which were procedural in nature.  Yet, the basic path to serious Constitutional change is almost always the same - it requires organizational focus by a dedicated small group, a willingness to build alliances across factional and regional lines, a belief in playing hardball, and a strong and sustained outcry by a large group of citizens.  Often, it is accompanied by local, state, and Federal laws that move the legal system in the direction of the amendment for many years before the Constitutional question emerges.  Sometimes it is accompanied by sympathetic court cases. 
    Read the rest here & Sign the Petition Here
     Official portrait of Supreme Court Justice Cla...Image via Wikipedia
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